625

Hello, everyone, and welcome back! Thank you to all our previous backers for your support of Tezuka books. Because of you, we are able to print 4 books in our higher quality paper, and a digital-only book will finally be available in print. Thank you so much!

We've taken some time and listened to your requests, and for our next project, we'd like to print Osamu Tezuka's shojo manga, Storm Fairy.

Shojo is a type of genre born in Japanese magazines that were segregated according to gender. Shonen and shojo was printed similarly like the funnies in your Sunday newspaper. Magazines aimed at boys created the genre shonen, magazines aimed at girls created shojo. Post-WWII showed a surge of girls interested in manga, and when Tezuka published Princess Knight, he raised the bar on what was acceptable for Japanese girls (at the time) could read. Now, we are asking you to help us print another of Tezuka's lost work to English readers.

Storm Fairy is a collection of 3 short stories with the first comprising the first half of the book, and the other two split the remaining pages.

Once upon a time, an Empress flees her burning castle to the nearby forest where she encounters a forest fairy. A deal is struck where in exchange for the fairy's favor, the Empress must give up the face of her next born child. Thus, two girls' lives become entwined: one has to wear a mask to hide her disfigured face, the other born with the face of the first. One night, a malcontent discovered Princess Ruri's curse and steals her mask to put his own daughter on the throne. Ruri, now on the run, meets a samurai Tonosuke who decides to care for her. Hakobe, the fairy born with Ruri's face, finds out the princess is on the run and decides to help her win back her kingdom, but little does she know, she wears the face of the one she's trying to save...

The second short story, “Kokeshi Detective Agency,” has a similar tone and feel to young adult book series Encyclopedia Brown. Fearless little Paco goes around solving spooky mysteries because she is not afraid of things that go bump in the night while her dog friend Waco does his best to protect her. In the third short story, fairy Pink from the realm of beautiful sunsets morphs into whatever she wants so she may help those who are unhappy and in need, but King Brown and Sepia from the realm of thunderstorms do their best to make people miserable.

Even though this manga is classified as a shojo manga, Tezuka still questions what is perceived as beautiful or ugly, and I love it. – Hikaru Sasahara, President of DMI

In addition to printing Storm Fairy, we also have two stretch goals. The first is a reprint of Unico. Some pledgers can also get the original Japanese Hard Cover edition of Unico in a surprise tier that we'll announce soon (!) and other swag for the reprint. Our second stretch goal is to print Crime and Punishment, which was released previously as digital-only.

There will also be specifically designed products for this campaign: knee-length gray dress with a blue storm trim in 100% cotton, and a t-shirt with Hakobe casting magic in 50% polyester / 25% cotton / 25% rayon. There is a super sturdy tote bag with the Storm Fairy logo. Check below for the specs on the bag. And last of all there will be a silk screened poster of Storm Fairy with 5-6 colors. Snag this poster to hang next to our previous silk screened Barbara poster!

(Click image to enlarge)

Here are the specifications for Tezuka's Storm Fairy.

Paperback High-quality paper that is denser, smoother, and off-set white/ or natural offset

Size: A5 (5.875"x8.25"), same as our other Tezuka releases

Right to Left Manga reading format

Pages: 224pgs

Release date: 11/2015

MSRP: $15.95

Rated: 13+ Teen

Are you ready?!

Unico taking matters into his own hooves...

Stretch Goal #1: Reprint Unico

We reached $26,000 and now we will be able to reprint Unico! Thanks, everyone!

I can taste the difference...!

We reached $27,000 and now Unico will be reprinted with updated colors! Hooray!

No one can stop us!

Stretch Goal #2: Publish and print Crime and Punishment

We reached $32,500 and now we will be able to make Crime and Punishment available in print! Check the updates page for more information regarding the Crime and Punishment ADD-ON.

Silk screened poster with 6 colors. MOCK-UP ONLY. Art not final.

Email us your size in "Contact Me"

Email us your size in "Contact Me"

TIme for a picnic...

Let's see what you get!

You only get one 3D lenticular pin, which we will choose for you. Each pin is about 1.25” (3cm).

Stainless steel Leo fork and spoon are each about 6” long (about 15cm) and are dishwasher safe.

You will receive five of each silver-plated Leo forks and spoons (10 pieces total) in a set. Each piece is about 5” long (12.5cm) and is HAND WASH only.

The hardcover Japanese books are 7.5” x 9.25” (19cm x 23.5cm). Unico plush is about 8” (20cm). Book set and plushie are NOT to scale in this image.

Why Kickstarter?

We believe that all of Tezuka's work carry a spirit of global community, and there is no better way to reflect that than on a crowd funding platform such as Kickstarter. The Tezuka fan community has grown over the years on this platform and we want to continue to see it develop to where all generations, old and new, can convene into a place of common interest. Let's once again get together to achieve this goal!

Risks and challenges

We weigh heavily on the comments, praise, and criticisms from you, the fans. As many of Tezuka's work heavily explores the human condition, we at Digital Manga, Inc., also try to follow suit from his message—recognize and analyze where we went astray, get back on our feet and make good to get back on the correct path, and then strive to improve even more so in future endeavors.

We also provide backers with clear explanations about our goals and giveaway tiers, fast responses to questions, and frequent updates on the progress of the books and the giveaways. With that said, if you have any questions or concerns please message us (through the "Contact Me" button above) and we will reply as swiftly as possible.

"What if the merchandise is late?"

This would be because we were not satisfied with the makers of our merchandise and had to find an alternative company to produce them or demand a complete redo. Backers will be informed the minute it happens, and when we receive the completed goods.

"What if the books are late?"

It's not uncommon for books to be late. There are multiple parties involved with publishing a book. Of course, you will be informed right away about the problem and how long of a delay you can expect.

DISCLAIMER: Please keep in mind that the tiers are set and we cannot switch items out in exchange for other items. If an item becomes unavailable or damaged before shipping out the rewards package to the backer, an item of equivalent or greater value will be substituted.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 5 or more
About US$ 5

We Love You! +

Not only do you get our supreme gratitude for supporting our campaign when you donate $5 or more, you also receive a hand signed thank you card from the president of DMI, Hikaru Sasahara, and campaign updates in your email!

WHAT YOU GET
• e-Love and campaign updates
• Thank You card signed by Hikaru

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 42 or more
About US$ 42

Sídhe

Fairy mounds are the palaces of the fae folk. With this Kickstarter-exclusive dust jacket, your copy of "Storm Fairy" will have its own place to live! Plus, we're throwing in two bookmarks to keep your place in the story.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 65 or more
About US$ 65

Dwarven One

Who doesn't like a coin or two in their pockets? With our limited edition wooden coin, you will never go broke. You'll also get everything in the Sídhe tier. PLUS, by pledging this tier, you'll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have your name in the book!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 80 or more
About US$ 80

Mighty Atom

Mighty Atom is known in the Western World as Astro Boy! When you pledge this tier, you’ll receive a bunch of our special Storm Fairy stuff, including the manga itself, AND a set of iPhone buttons (they stick to the home button!) and one of three Welder’s pins, which we will choose for you.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 85 or more
About US$ 85

Dwarven King

Did you miss out on our last two Kickstarters and want to fill out your coin collection? This tier is the same as Dwarven One, plus you get our limited edition Clockwork Apple wooden coin and limited edition Alabaster wooden coin as well!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 100 or more
About US$ 100

Clothing Pixie

Summer is almost here; time to bust out the t-shirts and lightweight dresses! By pledging this tier, you'll receive everything in the Dwarven One tier PLUS a "Storm Fairy" t-shirt in your size AND a cotton dress made specifically for this Kickstarter!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 120 or more
About US$ 120

Morgana

Ever heard of Morgan le Fay? In just her style, this extremely high quality silk-screened poster will be 5 or 6 color tones; each color is overlaid separately from the others. This is NOT your average paper poster; it's a work of art!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 150 or more
About US$ 150

Philanthropist

Back from our previous campaigns comes the Philanthropist tier! When you donate $150 or more, not only will you get everything from the Dwarven One tier, we'll also donate 2 volumes of "Storm Fairy" to a library of your choosing. Not only will that benefit a library, you get to spread the love of Tezuka to those who don't have the opportunity to read it otherwise. After the campaign is funded, we will contact you and ask for the name and city of the library you've chosen; we'll take care of the rest! You can even have the books donated in someone's honor or memory!

PLUS
• 2 copies of "Storm Fairy" for one library of your choice in your name.

ALSO
If you'd like to have "Storm Fairy" sent to more than one library, please add $25 per library and then message us above! We'll be happy to help you out and spread the Tezuka love. ^_^ PLUS, for every extra library you add, we will donate one additional copy of "Storm Fairy" to a library in a low-income area in the United States.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 160 or more
About US$ 160

The Whole Sh-Bang

Ever had a moment when you just... want it ALL? We've got you covered. This tier includes both the digital and print versions of "Storm Fairy" AND all the limited edition swag that has been designed for backers of this Kickstarter only: dress, t-shirt, wooden coin, full color dust jacket, bookmarks, silk-screened poster.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 160 or more
About US$ 160

King of the House

Let EVERYONE know you are the master of your house as you bust out a set of silver plated Emperor Leo snack fork and spoon set (5 forks and 5 spoons for 10 pieces all together) for relaxing tea and cake, and your new floor mat will help keep crumbs off the floor.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 165 or more
About US$ 165

Tezuka DIGITAL Bundle

You want all the Tezuka we have? Like, ALL OF IT? You've got it! When you pledge $165 or more in this tier, you'll receive digital versions of all the Tezuka titles that we've translated into English. Seriously, with this deal you're getting everything at almost half off. HUZZAH!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 180 or more
About US$ 180

Tezuka PRINT Bundle

You want all the Tezuka we have in print? You've got it! When you pledge $180 or more in this tier, you'll receive all the Tezuka titles that we've translated into English that we have in print. HUZZAH!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 90 or more
About US$ 90

Schoolhouse Rock

Can't get enough school? (Wait, why are we asking that? It's almost summer!) For the organizers in our midst, we've collected 15-month calendar planners, Atom/Kitaro keychains, and sets of 2 magnetic bookmarks. In addition to your "Storm Fairy" book and swag, you'll receive one of each!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 110 or more
About US$ 110

Blind Box

Our blind boxes were so popular that we managed to acquire five more! This time, we're offering socks and a Mighty Atom towel to go with it. We'll choose one of three towel colors for you: red, yellow, or blue.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 155 or more
About US$ 155

Princess Knight

This set of ALL SIX "Princess Knight" manga in dual language format (English/Japanese) PLUS a cotton dress for your very own Princess Knight is limited to ONE, so grab it while it's hot! Of course, you'll get several "Storm Fairy" collectibles, too.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 200 or more
About US$ 200

Fancy Unico(rn)

Plushies for everyone! Okay, well, no. Plushies for five people. Sorry we can’t give you all one! (We wish we could, promise!) BUT, for those of you who DO pledge this tier, you’ll be happy to know that we have a brand new hardcover Unico set in Japanese AND a soft and cuddly Unico plush doll just for you!